“There are plenty of opportunities to be active, keep strong and stay creative during these stressful times. No gym? No problem. Use stuffed backpacks, laundry detergents, canned soup, broomsticks as your gym equipment.”

O’Brien, who helps kids learn the value of fitness through a fulsome approach which includes diet, nutrition and mental well-being, said exercise is a great way to combat increased stress.

“Grab family members to work out with you. Pump up some music. Make it an event. Make this a daily non-negotiable. Work out and have that extra bounce in your steps to enjoy your day.”

HomeWOD One

Need a stuffed backpack

Eight rounds for time (RFT)

Eight back squats (with backpack on back)

Eight burpees over backpack (on floor)

Eight thrusters with backpack

Eight Russian twists feet hover over backpack

(Time cap: 10 minutes)

HomeWOD Two

EMOM is an acronym for Every Minute On the Minute. EMOM workouts are versatile and fun fitness training tools.

EMOM 12:

Three rounds

Minute one: 20 air squats

Minute two: 10 burpees

Minute three: push-ups, max reps

Minute four: rest

Score = total push-ups completed

(12 minute WOD)

Tabata Intervals

Tabata training is an effective and very popular form of high-intensity interval training. The workout consists of eight rounds of high intensity workouts in a specific time interval – 20 seconds on, 10 seconds off. Even though it only takes four minutes to complete the circuit, by the end your body is pushed to the limit because you are giving it everything you have in that short period of time. Tabata training is perfect for someone looking for results with little time to spare.

Two rounds Tabata circuit:

20 seconds on, 10 seconds off for four minutes = one round

First round: plank hold

Second round: wall sit

(eight-minute workout)

Static holds or isometric holds involve being completely still. In Hong Kong, where people are so used to being on-the-go, the idea of static anything may sound alien.

During any static hold exercise, we are creating tension in the muscles. Increasing time under tension increases muscle breakdown. Muscle breakdown means muscle growth when those muscle fibres repair. Static holds can make us stronger, especially our core. Regardless of what holds we are doing, our core is going to have to be fully engaged to keep our body still.

HomeWOD Four

Need a stuffed backpack.

AMRAP is the acronym for as many rounds or reps as possible. AMRAP workouts allow everyone to do the same workout at their own pace. AMRAP workouts accommodate all levels of fitness. Also, knowing that your workout is going to last 15 minutes, it motivates a person to work hard.

AMRAP 15 minutes: “the up down”

12 thrusters (with backpack)

12 burpees

HomeWOD Five

The “Chipper” for time:

Chipper WODs are challenging because they demand mental toughness due to the high reps required.

25 mountain climbers

25 jumping squats

25 sit-ups

25 burpees

25 alternate lunges